Exclusive: ‘I took inspiration from Milkha and Mary Kom movie songs'
Divya Deshmukh displayed remarkable hunger and tenacity to become India's first woman chess World Cup champion. The 19-year-old will reach Nagpur on Wednesday night, where a grand welcome is planned for her.
Speaking exclusively with
TOI
from Batumi airport in Georgia, Divya talked at length and shared her thoughts on how it feels to be a Grandmaster, how she turned things around in her favour and the favourite dress she wore during all her tiebreak games to script history.
Excerpts from the interaction...
Has it sunk in yet?
Yet to sink in. It's still difficult to believe that yesterday (Monday) was my last night as an International Master.
The $50,000 prize money must be the biggest so far in your career. What do you plan to do with it?
I think this is my biggest prize money from a tournament. I don't have any plans right now.
What changes for Divya Deshmukh now — as a person and as a player?
I don't think anything changes for me as a person or as a player. Definitely, it is an accomplishment that I will forever cherish, but I think it is hopefully just a stepping stone. Also, I think the pressure to become a Grandmaster. is off. That's a good thing a player. As a person, it changes nothing.
Do GMs get more respect from compatriots as well as other players?
I don't know. I guess I will find out now.
Which was the best compliment you received — from an Indian and a foreigner?
I don't know. I am yet to go through all my messages. I received lots of them. Once I can go through them, I can let you know which was the best one.
How will you keep your focus in the coming months?
My focus will definitely be on chess. I'll be playing in Uzbekistan in September in Grand Swiss.
How do you relax or unwind before, during and after events? What do you intend to do now after this big achievement?
I usually relax or unwind by listening to songs, getting some sleep, eating, watching something and just resting. Chess is quite exhausting, so I take all the rest that I can. I don't have any specific plans right now.
I am a bit sleep-deprived... I need sleep.
Do you think chess is the biggest happening sport in India after cricket? Do you feel bad that chess players do not get as much attention as cricketers?
I am hoping that one day it becomes the next big thing. I am not sure how big it is right now, but I am hoping that my victory contributes in a small way to the overall development of chess. Also, in the last few years, it has been booming in India, so I hope it continues the same way. Chess players don't get as much attention as cricketers. I don't think it's even comparable.
Do you follow any other sport? Who is your favourite sportsperson?
I do follow other sports.
Not religiously, but I try to follow them whenever I can. Lately, I have been watching a bit of football and tennis. I don't have a favourite sportsperson, but in this tournament, I was inspired by Milkha Singh because I was listening to the songs from his movie and also Mary Kom.
Poll
Do you believe chess will become as popular as cricket in India?
Yes, definitely!
Maybe, but it will take time.
No, cricket will always be the favorite.
Are you confident travelling by yourself, or do you still need your parents with you?
I am definitely confident enough to do it. I love having my parents with me because it takes all the stress off me to take care of all the other things, and I just have to focus on chess.
How many countries have you travelled to so far? Which is your favourite and why?
I haven't counted how many countries I have travelled to. I need to make a list now. I will buy a map and then put a pin in all the countries I go to. My favourite is Greece. I don't know why, but I think that I want to go there again. It's very beautiful with amazing food. I have been there three or four times, and I want to go there again. During tournaments, I am so engrossed in chess that I don't get time to visit tourist spots.
Any recent movie you have watched?
I am not a movie person, so I don't think that I have watched any movies recently.
How do you choose the clothes you wear? Where do you rank yourself on a scale of 1-5 in fashion sense?
I just wear what I feel good in, and sometimes, I get superstitious about it. So this tiebreaker dress (pink printed kurta and beige pants) was definitely the superstitious one. I won all my tiebreakers wearing the same. I also won all the games I played in it. I don't want to rate myself. I just like to wear nice clothes. Who doesn't!
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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